One of the best parts about having tweens is that you can actually start to watch shows and movies that you enjoy with them. That's right! No more sitting through The Little Mermaid for the thousandth time (okay, well, that's actually a classic, but you get the idea).
My daughter is 10 and a half going on 17 and watching movies together has now become one of our most favorite bonding experiences. I love introducing her to movies I loved as a kid. But there are also so many incredible films available to stream that have wonderful and inspiring stories to tell. Bonus points if they have strong female characters (no matter what gender your child is, this is great for kids to see!).
Tweens love all kinds of movies from cartoon films to documentaries. But they are an emotional breed of humans! It's a great idea to watch things that don't shy away from real life (so that it holds their interest), but also have beautiful morals or lessons.
Here are 12 life-affirming movies that are great to watch with tweens:
1. 'The Breakfast Club'
We all know and love The Breakfast Club and there are plenty of good reasons why your tweens will love it, too. It's such a coming of age film which kids who are growing into themselves will be able to relate to. But it also has big themes about friendship, going against the grain, and not judging others.
2. 'Never Been Kissed'
Another high school film, this one is about not fitting in. There are huge takeaways from this movie, like that sometimes everyone feels out of place. Perhaps the biggest one is that who you are in middle or high school isn't who you end up to be. Even if you feel like a total oddball sometimes, it's all a growing experience and at some point, we all come into our own.
3. 'A League Of Their Own'
It's arguably one of the best movies ever made. For women, specifically, this movie really hit the mark. Any tween who loves sports, has a sister, or just loves seeing women succeed, will love this film. There's also a ton of historical references, making it a great history lesson, too.
4. 'Now And Then'
Fittingly, this movie which flashes back and forth between decades throughout it, will never go out of style. The stellar cast with stars like Christina Ricci and Demi Moore are crucial. But it's the female friendships — which last through the ages — that make this such a great film for tweens.
5. 'Uncle Buck'
This adorable movie from the '80s is still a family favorite of so many today. It's about an uncle who is an outcast who comes to stay with the kids while the parents are away. Of course, he gets into some trouble. But the moral of the film is that family and love can override even the biggest differences. It's also downright hilarious.
6. 'Bye, Bye Love'
This film has some grown-up themes — mainly, it's about divorce. For tweens whose parents might be going through a separation or divorce, or who have long had two-house families, this film is crucial. It gets into some of the tough parts of what happens when marriages end, and much of that shows the kids' perspectives.
This film isn't currently available for streaming, but hopefully, it will be soon!
7. 'Wonder Woman'
This movie is ultimate no matter who you are and what you're into. But most tweens and teens love a good Marvel movie. This one, which had women front and center, battling it out, just screamed "girl power!" It's a wonder-ful action film for anyone to see, but will especially leave girls feeling empowered.
'Enola Holmes'
People are all about the new Netflix movie, Enola Holmes. The film stars the incomparable Millie Bobby Brown who is best known for playing Eleven on Stranger Things. It's making waves for being a fun and interesting watch and one that has a strong, smart, and tough female lead.
'The Sandlot'
Kids of all ages love the film The Sandlot. But it's specifically a great movie for tweens are are the same ages as the characters in the movie. It's about a kid who doesn't fit in but is embraced by a neighborhood baseball team. He finds his tribe, makes great friends, and memories that last a lifetime.
'My Girl'
It's a pretty devastating film on so many levels, but it's still uplifting in the end. My Girl is a classic film that holds up and it's perfect for tweens because it addresses some big topics that can be tough to talk about, like death. In the end, though, life keeps going as the main character finds herself more and more, as she becomes a young woman.
Stream now with Amazon Video.
'Freaky Friday'
This movie is so utterly hilarious but somehow manages to be totally relatable! All kids think their parents have it easy and parents tend to think their kids don't have enough responsibility. This cute remake, starring Lindsay Lohan, shows what happens when a mom and her teen daughter switch places. It sheds light on how tough it is to be in either role, which makes it the perfect film to watch with your tween.
'The Goonies'
This amazing '80s comedy holds up. It follows young tween boys on an adventure like no other. It shows kids today how things used to be, ya know, back in the good old days when our parents really had no idea what we were doing. It might make our kids want a little bit more freedom, but hey? What tween doesn't.
